A lip-reading specialist says he decoded goalkeeper Hugo Souza telling coach Fernando Diniz that referee Alex Gomes Stefano threatened Corinthians player Matheuzinho during Corinthians' 2-0 loss to Internacional in the Copa do Brasil on Sunday, August 2.
Gustavo Machado posted a video on X interpreting Hugo Souza as saying that when Matheuzinho complained to the referee, the official told him he wanted to see him do that off the pitch, and that the referee was calling Matheuzinho out to fight. Hugo Souza reportedly asked Diniz what kind of behavior that was, saying the referee should not be allowed to say that. The video spread widely on social media.
Corinthians executive criticizes officiating
Marcelo Paz, Corinthians' executive director of football, criticized how the match was handled. He said that without excusing the result, the ball was only in play for 49 minutes, well short of the recommended minimum of 60, showing the match was poorly managed.
Paz also pointed to seven yellow cards issued against Corinthians and a penalty he said was clearly missed on player Bidu. He called it strange that neither the referee nor VAR flagged it, describing the officiating as difficult.
Return leg set for Thursday
Internacional and Corinthians play the second leg of their Copa do Brasil round of 16 tie on Thursday, August 6, at 8 p.m. Brasilia time at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. Internacional can lose by one goal and still advance; a two-goal Corinthians win would send the tie to penalties.
